5 Things To Bring To Your Puppy’s First Visit To The Vet

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic
Starting things off on the right paw with your puppy’s first visit to the vet


It’s time for your puppy’s first visit to the vet – it can be nerve-racking for both you and your pup! Making regular appointments with your veterinarian will help to ensure that you are managing your dog’s health and getting a handle on problems before they get out of hand. And that first visit is the most important one. This is the start of a long relationship with a person who can help your long live a long, happy life.


Before you head into the office, it helps to be prepared. Here is a list of five things that will have you looking like a prepared pet parent.


Bring a list of questions: You have many questions and you’ll in luck – you’re about to visit a professional. If you’ve noticed anything physical symptoms or unusual behaviors, bring them up with the vet. Ask about what future visits will entail, feeding concerns, or any other issues that arise. A good veterinarian will be happy to answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction of how to make the best health decisions for your dog.


Bring your puppy’s paperwork: If you got your puppy from a breeder or a shelter, she should have come with some kind of paperwork. It will list if your puppy has already been to a vet or has received any shots (puppies usually come with their first round of vaccinations). Give it to the veterinarian before you get started so he/she can follow up on care that’s already been provided.


Bring a stool sample: Ick! I know you just want to pick it up and throw it out, but your puppy’s poop will tell the vet a lot about your dog’s health. This sample will be tested for internal parasites such as hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, coccidia, and giardia. The results will tell your vet which deworming medication to give your dog. You can give it to the lab assistant in a marked bag or container; just make sure your dog’s name is marked clearly on the sample.


Bring a carrier: Your puppy is bound to be nervous, excited or scared – or even all three! That’s why bringing her to the vets in a carrier is a smart idea for many reasons: it helps with transport; it’s a calming, secure den that’s familiar for your puppy; and it prevents curious pups from getting into everything at the vet’s office.


Bring your checkbook: Vet visits aren’t cheap, so make you’ve got enough money to cover it. After that first visit, you may want to look at dog insurance policies, which is a great idea. Do yourself a favor and call ahead to find out how much it’ll cost so you won’t be shocked at the bill.


If you have any tips you’d like to share from your puppy’s first trip to the vet, feel free to share them. Just leave them in the comment section below.

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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